Cars of the Mafia - big thanks from enthusiast

[james_beckerson]

Hello.

I'm from Poland, and I'm also a deep fan of 1950's American cars. I'm interested in these tail-finned cars since I was a child, and started to gain serious knowledge about this subject about 6-8 years ago.
I played the Mafia "I" game of course. Was very thrilled to discover how many original cars have been carefully reproduced to capture the wide array of brands available on the market in the era. It was also a challenge to discover what brand and model year hides behind the tricky changes of trim and grille shapes , especially becouse it was from the decades that are not my strongest points.
I was also since then hoping that the continuation of Mafia will appear, pushing the action those 20 years forward - but thanks for that disguised Thunderbird we were given at the end of Mafia I. I would like to personally greet the drawer who invented that changes to original car, -especially the new tailfins and back- that appeared in game - this decision helped change the always too plain styling of the manufacturer of that model (don't know if it's safe to write the name literally) into one of the sharpest design that would sell as hot cakes back in the day.

And now my dream comes true, there will be Mafia taking place in the 1950's ! I already identified what Lassiter will be offered to us - excellent choice of the 1st year with "ducktails" that began that all. Thank you for the small details that can identify that Fleetwood 60 Special, a true descendent of the V16 when it comes to it's importance on the ladder of models in the day.
I also see that James Dean's influence touched your designers too, as the car with the name borrowed from the Greek god of Commerce in the immortal shape of 1949-1951 styling cycle made it's appearance on the streets of Empire City. Few middle market GM's brands are there too, the '53 red hardtop from the Flint factory particularly :) and that Potomac with single piece windshield indicating year '53 and the rather not very literal copy of '52-'53 side trim of the other Indian chief's named brand from GM

Plus those COE trucks with also very iconic horizontal blade grilles are again to be Schuberts probably. I'm hoping to see a copy of the '59 passenger "Schubert" known under the name of one antylope ;) when you already gave us the '56 top model named after the district of Los Angeles :D

Have problems with the police car seen on few screens. Closest match would be one German brand and their model Kapitan, but it's impossible for entire Empire City PD to import European cars for duty. Grille hints to be coming from the manufacturer of Fairlanes and Thunderbirds, but the rear seems to be from something other. ANy hint ?

I'm hoping that the attention for the independent brands, not only the Big Three ones, we've seen in Mafia I, will be repeated here. The Guardian from 1st game would definietly have it's place in the times of 2nd one, especially the 1949-1954 years, if not the mighty 327cu V8-ed 1957 year - last of production, sadly :(

Thank you again, Story Writers of 2K for bringing Mafia to 1950's, and all the Designers and 3D Programists for accurate reproducing what we'll have on the streets with historical -correct details and styling.

[KoT6opuC]

It`s so nice to see man such intrested in those cars :)

[mg198242]

Welcome to the forum, james_beckerson !!!:)
Great to see some Mafia fans really interested on the auto park from Mafia!:) This is just another part why I like Mafia so much: as a car fan, doesn't matter if we talk about cars from '20s, '50s or '90s, I was really thrilled to see a game where I can enjoy cars from an era I couldn't find in other games, and if we think that the game is simulation, and not arcade, even better!;) Anyway, keep up the good work!

[james_beckerson]

Hi to you too, mg198242

I was beginning to doubt into any fans of old cars when I often saw the GTA cars being wrongly identified for years (like for example those from Vice City). I'm pleasantly surprised that some people care about what they ride, and what it relates to in the history.

The vintage car simulators are a really big niche for years, which is totally not explored, I can't belive how blind the producers are. SInce cancellation of NFS Motor City (anyone remembers about that yet? ) there has been a few titles, but either focused on European cars, or on the 1960's/70's era which is not interesting for me.

I'm now only afraid that my GeForce 3 and Athlon 1700+ will be far behind the minimal requiraments, so it will end up as if the game didn't exist :(

[Celestial Spirit]

I'm now only afraid that my GeForce 3 and Athlon 1700+ will be far behind the minimal requiraments, so it will end up as if the game didn't exist :(
yes, your comp not approach to the game.. my too.. I have P4 1.8, 768mb ddr, GF FX 5500 128mb.. and with such comp I have 1 fps on a minimum(!!) in such games as NFS ProStreet, NWN2 and other which left after 2006..
Fortunately in the end of August I shall buy a new comp which I think will pull Mafia on a max

[DoHo]

I will admit that I know nothing about cars, and many other things for that matter, but something about those classic cars (featured in Mafia) and especially the hot rod era of the 50's has always left me admiring them. They are certainly beautiful cars and it's great to see them so authentically reproduced.

It's sad to see that in a game series as popular as GTA it's up to modders to make car models that are worth looking at. GTA3 wasn't so bad for the time... but Vice City? My god! Those models were hideous, and San Andreas wasn't much better.

But the cars of Mafia (and the few we've seen for Mafia II)b are simply beautiful. Even my mum couldn't help but comment on how cool they looked!

[james_beckerson]

I agree with you DoHo, there are people who declare that are not interested in cars, but when you show them a 1950's car, they start to be :)It's really great that we'll have Mafia in this decade.

[james_beckerson]

More on the cars subject

http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ here I found 2 screens that seem to be exclusive for that website. Don't know czech language so can't tell for sure.

Anyway, on the 1st one we see a red sports car which has a front being a copy of early 1953-56 Corvettes - very European looking, with oval grille and very thin front bumper, also with panoramic windshield.
As you see, the bumper has been alternated by simple adding middle piece, and multiplying the missle-shaped bumper guards from the original 2 to 4
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/032508_1.jpg
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/022208_1.jpg

The side of the car is very non-Corvettish. The lowering line traces to Buick offerings, and either a concept car called XP300 from year 1951
http://www.uscars.cz/ACCBrno/HISTORIE/Automobilky/Buick/Buick_XP300.jpg
or to the standard Buicks of year 1953, which despite being sedans and hardtops, not sporty cars, put that line into the mass production.
http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53216865_pr.jpg
Especially on a limited-production model Skylark, which had upper edge of the doors falling down, along the curve of the fender
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1950-1959/1953-Buick-Skylark-Matador-Red.jpg

To add one more argument to my theory : On the second screen from http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ you see the same "Corvuick" but a name plate on the side is visible - reads "Frigate". Both Corvette and Frigate were originally names of light, manoeuverable types ships.

The black car from the 1st screen appears to be BMW 507

When we're on the matter of second screen from the above mentioned website. The sedan visible on the left is probably a rear of "Potomac" we've seen on other screens. This copy of Pontiac would be suitable, as these rear fenders and taillights are ideal match for 1949-52 Pontiac, from which the inversed side trim is taken and put on a 1953 body.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/3079,433_1950-Pontiac-Standard-Taillights.html
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/poci01/pont5201a.JPG

On the 3rd pic from http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ we see a piece of a green car in the back, which could be another appearance of the 1954 Hudson - still fat hood, but without sculpted "nose" and a piece of air intake is visible. Judging by the order of windshield wipers, the black car that Vito's in on this pic, is an European one, maybe BMW 507 again, judging by color of it on this and previous screen

http://home.earthlink.net/~srmvil/54/images/hornet_photo-16_edited.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~srmvil/54/images/hornet_photo-18_edited.jpg

[Celestial Spirit]

yep, true beautiful cars
thanks 4 links :)

[mak4bd]

More on the cars subject

http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ here I found 2 screens that seem to be exclusive for that website. Don't know czech language so can't tell for sure.

Anyway, on the 1st one we see a red sports car which has a front being a copy of early 1953-56 Corvettes - very European looking, with oval grille and very thin front bumper, also with panoramic windshield.
As you see, the bumper has been alternated by simple adding middle piece, and multiplying the missle-shaped bumper guards from the original 2 to 4
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/032508_1.jpg
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/022208_1.jpg

The side of the car is very non-Corvettish. The lowering line traces to Buick offerings, and either a concept car called XP300 from year 1951
http://www.uscars.cz/ACCBrno/HISTORIE/Automobilky/Buick/Buick_XP300.jpg
or to the standard Buicks of year 1953, which despite being sedans and hardtops, not sporty cars, put that line into the mass production.
http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53216865_pr.jpg
Especially on a limited-production model Skylark, which had upper edge of the doors falling down, along the curve of the fender
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1950-1959/1953-Buick-Skylark-Matador-Red.jpg

To add one more argument to my theory : On the second screen from http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ you see the same "Corvuick" but a name plate on the side is visible - reads "Frigate". Both Corvette and Frigate were originally names of light, manoeuverable types ships.

The black car from the 1st screen appears to be BMW 507

When we're on the matter of second screen from the above mentioned website. The sedan visible on the left is probably a rear of "Potomac" we've seen on other screens. This copy of Pontiac would be suitable, as these rear fenders and taillights are ideal match for 1949-52 Pontiac, from which the inversed side trim is taken and put on a 1953 body.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/3079,433_1950-Pontiac-Standard-Taillights.html
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/poci01/pont5201a.JPG

On the 3rd pic from http://games.tiscali.cz/previews/mafia2info/ we see a piece of a green car in the back, which could be another appearance of the 1954 Hudson - still fat hood, but without sculpted "nose" and a piece of air intake is visible. Judging by the order of windshield wipers, the black car that Vito's in on this pic, is an European one, maybe BMW 507 again, judging by color of it on this and previous screen

http://home.earthlink.net/~srmvil/54/images/hornet_photo-16_edited.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~srmvil/54/images/hornet_photo-18_edited.jpg

u did workout a lot of things. gr8 job man.

[Don Memphis]

james_beckerson: Nice analyzation!;)

[Fraz]

Definately it was all done very well in Mafia ... the car models were so orginal
orginal and loved by most of the people ... :)

[ironbear66]

i started to watch and love older cars just because of Mafia 1, i hope that it will be many cool cars in Mafia 2

[james_beckerson]

Using the screens that user ortixupolite posted in the other topic, I'll scontinue the analysis of cars we'll be offered in Mafia II

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3570/152027fb1.jpg
On this one we see what I think is a rear view of the (Schubert) Frigate model that I discussed earlier in this topic. The panoramic wrap-around windshield leads me to this assumption, and the fact that Frigate for Mafia II was a mix of Corvette and Buick's concept car :


The side of the car is very non-Corvettish. The lowering line traces to Buick offerings, and either a concept car called XP300 from year 1951
http://www.uscars.cz/ACCBrno/HISTORIE/Automobilky/Buick/Buick_XP300.jpg
The taillights we see here are upswept in tailfins, not rounded, like it was in Corvette. But below are the thin round bumpers that Corvette had.

In the background of that Frigate screen we see a yellow car with round taillights and continental spare tire kit.It must be a 1952-54 Ford. There even are back up lights visible in center of taillights and the high bumper guards are also characteristic.
http://www.moby302.co.za/photo/ford/52_ford_customline_4.JPG
On the left we see a Lassiter again ('49 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special) and a 1954 Cab-Over-Engine Chevrolet truck. The car that is being chased is also a Lasitter. Notice the fact that it's missing it's wheel covers, so the cars will be loosing them probably in Mafia II.

On this screen
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3570/152027fb1.jpg
we see Vito shooting at an stretched limousine.We don't see the front, for now I guess it's a 1948 or earlier Cadillac Fleetwood 75, one of few serial produced long limousines, which after war retained it's 1942 shape for 2 more years than the other Cadillacs.

The grey & white car passing by is an obvious Mercury, as I've already written in the 1st post. The way the front fender incorporates into the door is very characteristic for 1949-1951 Mercury. It's not a '51, becouse '51 had rear fenders stretched into little tailfins, and this on the screen has older, round fenders, so it's 1949 or '50 model.
http://www.wave.net/upg/rocket/4door2.jpg
Judging by the taillights, this Mercury will also be serving as a taxi
http://www.mafia2game.com/screenshots/11.jpg
2K Czech's designers changed the aligment of taillights, original were horizontal, not vertical. I guess that grille is also alternated, just haven't seen the front yet to tell from what it was taken.

Back to the screen : aside from the (possible) Fleetwood 75 and '49-50 Mercury we see 2 Lasitters again....there must be rich folks in Empire City if the Cadillac Fleetwoods 60 Special are appearing so frequently:D

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4116/152028yb8.jpg
Here we see a heavy truck - a clone of Freightliner probably or a Mack, some imported sports car I guess, similar in shape to British offerings, and a front of the Mercury taxi mentioned above...it appears to look like 1949 Hudson, (http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/AmericanMotors/1949_Hudson_Commodore_6_4Door_Sedan-apr30b.jpg) but it would be not typical for 2K Czech, as they always mix brands from the same corporation, and Hudson was independent, but Mercury belongs to Ford Motor.
But from the other side, both brands were priced similarly, so they shared the market.

We also see a tailfin of Lasitter on the right side of the screen.

[mg198242]

Great post, james!:)

BTW, that 2-tone colour car from the right of the screen (Mercury) is turning right, so I'm thinking that the driver is trying to avoid a collision with the black limo!!!! I mean drivers now try to avoid collisions with the player/AI if they see the player/AI coming their way?!?!?! If I'm not wrong the driver is also looking at the limo and maybe is trying to anticipate the limo moves. If I'm right, then that would be great and realistic too!

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3570/152027fb1.jpg

[james_beckerson]

Thank you mg198242

As for the AIdrivers reacting to what happens on the road - in Mafia I they already gave way when you sounded the horn, or blinked headlights when you were going on the wrong lane of traffic. So it's not that far from the ability to manouver from the possible collision. The problem might be the situation if the car gets jammed agains a lantern or a wall as a result of such manouver.

[-HollowbodY-]

You really know your cars, James. It's nice to see someone has the knowledge we need. I'm a big car enthusiast myself and I really loved the cars in Mafia I. I'm really looking forward to driving all those beauties in Mafia II. Just a few months ago bought this nice little piece of art for restauration myself. It's a 1951 BMW E340 (am I right, James?:D). Unfortunately it has not have the original engine on it anymore and also the rear axle is from Moskvich (A russian copy of BMW and EMW models). Here's some pics taken with a mobile phone:
http://www.hot.ee/nuterdo//Pilt066.jpg http://www.hot.ee/nuterdo//Pilt067.jpg http://www.hot.ee/nuterdo//Pilt068.jpg
I am intending to start building it up in the upcoming summer.

[Dbeat]

cool....perhaps someone knows if it will be the options of automatic and manual gearing

[DjBaros]

Sorry to disappoint you Dbeat but read this:Cars

In Mafia 2, as its predecessor again fall into the category of "old-timer", and are so much more modern than the cars from 30th (Mafia 1). None of the earlier cars will not be refunded. More than fifty cars are newly proposed. All of the cars in Mafia II are detailed reproduced from cars of the 40s and 50s but not completely original. Nonetheless they are of course a lot more detailed animated. "You really feel the weight of the cars now", Daniel Vavra says. To steal a car you now have to play a mini game..!! It has two options and decides to break elbow window. This cow passers-by and police notice what is near. The second event may try to open the lock and do it inconspicuously... just needs more time. The choice between aggressive or calm doing you should have in the game almost everywhere. You can cover and hide for almost everything, while many buildings skip. Orientují(east) according to their originals, but the names have figment, - example: "Frigate" (sports cabriolet), "Jefferson" (limousine with vynylovou roof). The autumn also includes more "pieces" such as buses, military vehicles. The radio these cars are plays period music, musicals, bebop, and rock n roll. When Vito needs a vehicle, apply what is closest and is one if the vehicle is his or not. If you are in Mafia 1 had complicated to learn how to open the expensive cars, so now we easily - can get into anything and at any time. But for changes burglary system, which will in demanding more expensive models - but how well will it work?

When they Vito sitting in the car, quickly appears two things: Vehicles are governed without gear and do not require complex procedures for starting, etc. and, most significantly different in their driving characteristics. And so you do not have to worry about slow "the museum pieces" sixty because they had enough cars in 1940 a lot of horses under the bonnet. In comparison with Mafia 1, the car managed much more realistic, but also proud. . There are also resilient, and so beautifully, and runs through pavement. "Horseback as in the previous work of simple, but now get a better feeling of" weight "of the vehicle. Lukas says, Vito second discovery is that, if not careful, so he quickly out of the. In Mafia 2, the car you are scratch, surface (bumpers, holes after bullet, parts, etc.) After a collision, for example, you have waves in the body, bumper you coming along the street and the engine cover open nicely in the wind. The shooting at the car immediately appear holes and who hit precisely into the tank, he can leave the car vybouchnout and only shaft. If a car is burning and fire power gradually gale all 4 tires and lacquer blacken. Finally, it remains the only smoking car wreck. You often run into the service that these events had not occurred. The workshop will correct and the car washes from the dust, which is outside the main road. Yes improve! - Mafia 2 is to contain-tuning the system with which his tin of sweethearts improves both optically, and as far as the engine.